Acupunture for animals is one of the alternative therapies to be covered at upcoming expo.

Interested in getting your dog a massage? How about chiropractic treatment for your horse? Or animal communication treatment for your cat?

According to supporters, these treatments and others are more available for pets today than ever before. They say alternative, or “holistic,” care is making inroads in the animal population, just as it has for humans.

This year, Dr. Judy Jasek founded the Colorado Natural Pet Care Association, a nonprofit. The group is putting on the Colorado Natural Pet Expo on Oct. 8 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The expo was first held last year.

The group says the goal of the event is to inform attendees about the benefits of holistic treatments for animals.Read more…

Workers at The Gabriel Foundation’s offices arrived one day to find an abandoned Cockatoo in a cardboard box taped to the front door.

Unwanted birds have also been found in the foundation’s trash bin, says founder Julie Weiss Murad.

The Gabriel Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of Parrots and all their exotic cousins – Macaws, Cockatiels and Lovebirds, among others – has found itself at the leading edge of a national problem more often associated with dogs and cats:

Financially strained owners say they can no longer afford to care for them.

But that’s where the similarity with cats and dogs ends, says Murad, who has been around birds more than 40 years.

"The difference is that so many people don’t recognize what is considered appropriate or species-specific care for Parrots," she explains. "And they may be living marginally themselves."Read more…

A new Morris Animal Foundation fund has been named for Betty White. See third item below.

My family was riding down a familiar street one day years ago and our dog, Rex, was hanging his head out an open window like Casey Jones at the throttle of a railroad engine.

Then in a flash, it happened. Rex spotted another dog across the street and leaped from the window – into the side of an oncoming car. In a horrible instant, he fell beneath the wheels and rolled several times before the other car could stop.

He lay there on the street, not moving. We were sure he was dead.

Then, to our amazement. he stood up and shook himself off, wagging his tail. We took him to a veterinarian, who could find nothing seriously wrong. But Rex was never quite right in the head after that. He’d stand on the front porch, barking at the wind for hours.

I was reminded of Rex the other day when when I saw a driver travelling down a busy Denver street with his dog in his lap. The hound was hanging its head out an open window and, I swear, grinning for all he was worth. If the driver only knew the dangers that lurked, I thought.

A recent New York Times blog by by Tara Parker-Pope spelled out just how dangerous it can be having pets in the car.Read more…

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Members of the company Bark Busters give a demonstration on how they train dogs to stop barking on June 2, 2003. (Lyn Alweis, Denver Post file)

While the Denver metro area is one of the most pet-friendly in the country, the cordiality stops when it comes to dogs who bark so much that it becomes a nuisance.

And as the urban area develops and the population grows denser, so does the problem of overly vocal canines.

Often it winds up in the hands of law enforcement officers. In Denver, for example, a dog that barks at night, or yaps continuously while the owners aren’t home, can wind up in the dog pound.

So what’s a responsible owner to do?

For years, one simple solution was to have a veterinarian “debark” the dog by cutting its vocal cords. The surgery is not so prevalent today, but according to a recent New York Times report, debarked dogs “can readily be found … in private homes, on the show-dog circuit, and even on the turf of drug dealers, who are said to prefer their attack dogs silent.”

But on the whole, the procedure has fallen out of favor among veterinarians and animal welfare advocates, says a Denver vet familiar with the practice.

“The procedure was taught while I was still in veterinary school,” said Dr. Randy McCarty of Firehouse Animal Health Center in Denver. “I graduated in 1983 and after that it became more disfavored and considered as somewhat of an inhumane procedure. The school has stopped teaching it.”

An article on SmartPlanet.com raises a most interesting question: Are animals making us sick?

A better question might be: Are humans and other animals making each other sick?

A new organization called the One Health Commission, is looking for the answers.

One Health was established in response to the increased threat of disease passed between people and animals. The commission recently held its first summit in Washington.

It’s creation comes at a time when the crossing of disease between humans and other animals is in the news. Earlier this month, the first human transmission of H1N1, the swine flu, to a cat was reported in Iowa. More recently, the first confirmed death of a cat from
human-contracted H1N1 was reported in Oregon.

Following the recent One Health Summit, Mahr – former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association – was interviewed by Melanie Kaplan of Smartplanet.com, a site that explores new ideas.

Here are some of Mahr’s comments:

On the need for One Health:

“There’s a need to look more closely at human-animal-ecosystem health. Over the last three decades, of all the emerging human diseases in the world, 75 percent are zoonotic — transmitted from animals to people — including HIV, avian influenza, monkey pox and West Nile virus. …

“Those diseases and the changing environment have created an increasing concern because of the movement of people throughout the world. Viruses can pass around the world before they’ve even completed their incubation stage.”

On the growing proximity of humans and other animals:

“The environment of bringing animals and people together more has increased — more than 70 percent of households in the U.S. have companion animals such as dogs, cats, birds, or guinea pigs. There’s the potential for transmission between humans and animals, such as
internal parasites, worms, infections from external parasites (fleas, ticks) and fungal types of infections.”

On the lessons of H1N1:

“H1N1…is spreading from people to people, but it’s also been reported to have spread from people to ferrets, people to turkeys, people to pigs and most recently, people to cats….

“The goal of One Health is to work together to prevent the next H1N1 or the next avian influenza, and this can likely be achieved through detecting the disease at the onset, prior to it being transferred from animal to animal or animal to people. This is why
it’s so important to address One Health on a worldwide basis, among people, animals and the ecosystem. It’s all-encompassing.”

Piccoli. who has worked in private practice and for the Dumb Friends League and Table Mountain Animal shelter, said her goal is to reduce the number of unwanted animals that wind up in shelters.

“I realized that we’ll never get the homeless pet population down until we do more spays and neuters,” she said.

Piccoli said her long-term goal is to be self-sustaining – it now gets grants – and able to care for more pets of low-income owners. It handles a limited number now.

The clinic handles dogs, cats and rabbits and did 2,200 surgeries its first year.

Piccoli is assisted by a veterinary technician and volunteers.

Even though her clinic is low-cost, Piccoli said she does not feel she is competing with for-profit clinics.

“The vast majority of people coming here would not otherwise see a veterinarian,” she said.

SpayToday does surgeries on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Piccoli said the clinic prefers reservations but can handle a limited number of walk-ins who show up during surgery intake hours, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Spay Today, located at 1804 South Wadsworth Unit 2, can be reached at www.spay2day.org, or 303 984-7729.

Books for beasties - When customers of Tattered Cover book stores designate the Dumb Friends League as their nonprofit of choice, 1 percent of every purchase will be donated to the League. To sign up for the program, call (303) 322-1965, Ext. 2734. You’ll
receive a membership card in the mail along with an instant reward coupon, good for 10 percent off your next purchase of $25 or more.

Memory tree - Show of Hands gallery iin Cherry Creek North is putting up a Memory Tree, and for an $8 donation, you can purchase an ornament in memory of, or in honor of, a pet who has passed away. You’ll be able to write on and decorate the ornament, or attach a photo. All donations will go to the GRRR Golden Angel Fund. If you’re not in the Denver area, you can purchase the ornaments at www.goldenrescue.com.

Cats are about 20 years behind dogs in terms of animal welfare, says a head of a non-profit organization that just started a new feline spay/neuter program in Denver.

That contributes to a higher percentage of cats being put down than dogs, despite the fact that cat ownership in America exceeds dogs. About 30,000 cats a year are euthanized in Colorado.

“And cats are reproducing faster than ever,” said Amy Angelilli, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance. “Cats seem to be so independent. We have that throwaway mentality, that we can toss them out and they’ll be fine.”

The Alliance joined what Angelilli calls “the next wave” of addressing the cat overpopulation problem by opening The Feline Fix, which is billed as the only facility in the metro area dedicated to doing feline spays and neuters. The Alliance hopes to double the estimated 3,000 cat surgeries it has performed yearly.

PetSmart Charities provided funding, medical equipment and supplies and is helping open similar clinics around the country, she said.

“The model for these clinics is to do spay/neuter only and we focus on feral (free roaming) cats. It is different to handle a feral cat than a domestic cat,” Angelilli said.

The two types of felines are inter-related, she said, so The Feline Fix handles domestic cats as well. It is a fee-for-service clinic, charging $20 for feral cats and $35 for domestic. Serving the latter also helps the clinic’s bottom line, she said.

Angelilli said feline birth control has other benefits, too. Cats that have the surgery are less prone to cancer and, behaviorally, are less likely to wander.

Feral cats that have the procedure are best served by taking them back to the place they were found since their instinct will drive them to go back anyhow, she said. For that reason the Alliance has a TNR (trap-neuter-return) policy.

Angelilli said the number one type of call the Alliance gets is to come pick up feral cats, but it doesn’t have the resources to do that. Peple are asked to bring cats to their facility at 2600 W. 2nd Ave. #8 in Denver.

The Alliance loans traps and provides information about how to humanely capture cats.

The older among us probably remember getting small turtles as pets and watching them climb around their plastic enclosure for hours.

Things have changed.

In 1975, the sale of small turtles as pets was banned. But they continue to be sold illegally.

Recently, The Associated Press wrote about a research report on the largest salmonella outbreak ever blamed on turtles nationwide.

Two girls who swam with pet turtles in a backyard pool were among 107 people sickened, researchers said.
The 2007-08 outbreak involved mostly children in 34 states; one-third of all patients had to be hospitalized. In many cases, parents didn’t know that turtles can carry salmonella.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that the number of pet turtles nationwide doubled from 950,000 in 1996 to almost 2 million in 2006, the AP reported.

“It’s very easy to think of turtles as being a very gentle and nice pet,” but many carry salmonella, without showing any signs, said Julie Harris, a scientist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the report’s lead author.

Salmonella in turtle feces can end up on their shells and body, and can spread to people who handle them.
An infected turtle can spread salmonella to others during shipping, which may be how the outbreak occurred. Turtles involved were bought at pet shops, flea markets, from street vendors and online.

* * *

PET CALENDAR

Classic wheels - A private event featuring Stephen Tebo’s extensive collection of antique and classic motor vehicles will be held Nov. 14 from 4-7 p.m., benefitting the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Tebo started his car collection in 1975 and highlights include John Lennon’s white Rolls Royce, Steve McQueen’s Indian Chief, Frank Sinatra’s jeep, and the taxi used on the Jerry Seinfeld show. Tickets, at $50, iinclude cocktails and hors d’oeurves. Contact: www.boulderhumane.org

Gifts for all - A craft fair and pet holiday event will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at Tagawa Gardens, 771 So. Parker Road, Centennial, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Part of the proceeds will go to The All-Breed Animal Rescue Network in Lakewood. Contact: www.holidaygifts4pets.com

Chow time — The Colorado Veterinary Medical Foundation will receive 20 percent of food and non-alcoholic beverage income on Nov. 11 from 5-10 p.m. at Three Dogs Tavern, 3390 West 32nd Avenue, Denver. Contact: www.cvmf.org.

Swine Flu isn’t the only bug that Colorado residents have to think about as autumn and winter approach. Add Dog Flu to the list.
According to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) the disease, known more formally as Canine Influenza Virus, is now “very prevalent” in Colorado and 29 other states. Fortunately, it is not often fatal and humans don’t catch it.
So why even mention it?
Because, like an expected increase of Swine Flu as children returned to school, Dog Flu cases are expected to increase as owners board their dogs during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The disease is highly contagious and the winter holidays are the time that kennels are fullest.
“The holidays are very busy,” said Dr. Joseph Yrissari of Belcaro Animal Hospital in Denver. “There’s a greater incidence (of Dog Flu) when there’s a greater number of pets.”
A random telephone check of Denver area boarding facilities last week showed they are encountering only a scattering of cases at the present time, but some are gathering information and forming strategies for later this year.

One Denver business said there was an outbreak of the flu last Christmas because the animals it took in “were not the normal pack.”
None of those contacted are now requiring vaccinations.
Some of those contacted expressed concern about the effectiveness of the vaccine, which was approved for use in May.
Nationally, according to an article in USA Today, some kennels in parts of the country where the flu is present have recently started requiring vaccinations before accepting reservations.

AVMA spokesman Kimberly May told the newspaper she recommends that pet owners explore options such as having a house sitter stay with your pet. May said owners should check with their veterinarian before making boarding arrangements.
There’s a ton of information on the Internet about the Dog Flu. Just be careful about how reliable the source is.
Following are some key questions and answers about the disease, gleaned from several sources , including the AVMA and the Centers for Disease Control. and articles in USA Today and the Chicago Tribune: Where does Dog Flu come from? The bug has been infecting horses for 40 years and has crossed over to dogs. Tthe first recognized outbreak was at a Florida dog track in 2004.What are the symptoms? A nasal discharge, cough and low-grade fever. Most dogs will recover in several weeks, but secondary complications in more severely infected dogs can lead to pneumonia and death. One expert estimates a 5 percent mortality rate.Can humans catch it? No evidence of that has been found.How does it spread? By direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by contact with contaminated objects, and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease.How is canine influenza treated? Treatment largely consists of supportive care. This helps the dog mount an immune response. In the milder form of the disease, this care may include medication to make your dog more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed by your veterinarian if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.

What about the vaccine? So far, no side effects have been noted. The two shots, costing about $20 each, are given two to four weeks apart to dogs 6 weeks and older and can be repeated annually.Should all dogs be vaccinated? No, The vaccine is a “lifestyle” vaccine, and is not recommended for every dog. In general, the vaccine is intended for the protection of dogs at risk for exposure, which include those that either participate in activities with many other dogs or are housed in communal facilities, particularly where the virus is prevalent. Check your veterinarian about use

PET CALENDAR

Puttin’ on your top hat – The Top Cat & Tails Gala, marking the 40th anniversary of the Larmier Humane Society, will be Oct. 24. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. at the First National Bank Building at the Ranch in Loveland. For more informatiion: www.Larimerhuman.org

Walkin’ and festin’ – Two events will be held Oct. 17 to benefit the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. At 10 a.m. there will be the K9-5K, a walk/run through Monument Valley Park and downtown Colorado Springs. Later, there will be the PawtoberFest, with contests, demos, vendors, a dog-friendly beergarden, food and other activities. Contact: www.hsppr.org.

Kevin Fitzgerald, the funniest veterinarian in Denver, isn’t joking this time.
Dr. Fitzgerald, a fulltime vet who moonlights as a professional standup comic, was interviewed recently about what sort of treats we should give our dogs.
“We’ve become a nation of snackers,” he told a host of “Animal Tracks” on the website of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “and our dogs are beggars.”
Fitzgerald, who works at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in east Denver and appears regularly on television’s Animal Planet, said most owners give dogs a tremendous variety of snacks, much of it human food that is higher in calories and fat. Low-fat snacks are the best, he said.
“Vegetables are better than potato chips.”

Snacks should be no more than 10 percent of a dog’s diet, Fitzgerald said.
A better way to bond with Fido is spend time in activities that get you both moving around, he added.
And if Fido turns his nose up at the new, healthier food?
“Number one is be patient,” Fitzgerald said. “Is it better to deprive the pet of the old food and give it a better quality of life?”
Besides, he said, “Are we going to let a 7-year-old chihuahua run the show?”
Hear Fitzgerald at “Animal Tracks” on the AVMA website, www.avmamedia.org.
* * *
The Furry Friends Food Drive has officially begun its effort to collect food and money to help financially-pressed Denver area residents feed their pets and not have to give them up to shelters.
Donations are being accepted at these animal hospitals:
-Westwood Animal Hospital
-Front Range Veterinary Clinic
-Animal Clinic at the Festival
-Mandalay Animal Hospital
-Coal Creek Veterinary Hospital
-Table Mountain Vet Clinic
-Pets On Broadway
-Cottage Veterinary Hospital
-Leadbetter Small Animal Hospital
-Rocky Mountain Small Animal Hospital
-Aurora Animal Hospital
-Jefferson Animal Clinic
Donations also are being accepted at Mike Shaw auto dealerships. Through the final day, Sept. 12., donors will receive a discounted oil change for $15.95 with any pet food donation. You can also donate to the drive at www.causes.comfurryfriends.

PET CALENDAR

Pet pictures Tomorrow is the last day to enter a pet photo contest put on by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Photographs may be entered into one of the following five categories:
Best Baby Photograph
Best Glamour/Costume Photograph
Best Smile Photograph
Best Humane Society of Boulder Valley Alumni Photograph

Digitally Altered/Artistic Images

All entries must be submitted online by 3 p.m. Sept. 1, and there is a $15 donation per photo. To submit a photo or for more information visit: boulderhumane.org/photocontest

Remembering pets To mark National Pet Memorial Month in September, Morris Animal Foundation is offering pet sympathy cards. They are customized with the names of the pet owner and the pet and include a built-in frame for the pet’s photo. Cards are sent with a minimum donation of $10 per card. All proceeds from the cards help the foundation’s work. For more information or to honor a pet, visit https://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/pet-memorial/ or call 800.243.2345.

This is the case until men retire. After age 65, pet care seems to be split half and half.

The study was cited in an article in the Foster, N.H., Daily Democrat by a former dog breeder who said it mirrors his experience. Just look around the waiting room of your local veterinarian, he added.

Travel and OutWest editor Kyle Wagner grew up in Pittsburgh and lived in Lake County, Ill., and Naples, Fla., before moving to Denver in 1993, where she reviewed restaurants for Westword before moving to The Denver Post in 2002. She considers the best days to be those that involve her teenage daughters and doing something outside, preferably mountain biking or whitewater rafting.

Dean Krakel is a photo editor (primarily sports) at The Denver Post. A native of Wyoming, he has authored three books, "Season of the Elk," "Downriver" and "Krakel's West." An avid kayaker, rafter, mountain biker, trail runner, telemark skier and backpacker, Dean's outdoor adventures have taken him around the world.

Douglas Brown was raised about 30 miles west of Philadelphia in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he spent a lot of time running around in the woods and fields (where he hunted and explored), and in the ocean (where he surfed and stared at the horizon). Now he lives in Boulder and spends as much time hiking, running, skiing and boarding the High Country (and the Boulder foothills) as possible.

Ricardo Baca is the entertainment editor and pop music critic at The Denver Post, as well as the founder and executive editor of Reverb and the co-founder of The UMS. Happy days often involve at least one of these: whitewater rafting, snowshoeing, vintage Vespas, writing, camping, live music, road trips, snowboarding or four-wheeling.